CRANIAL OSTEOPATHY
Cranial osteopathy is a refined and subtle type of osteopathy that encourages the release of stresses and tensions throughout the body including the head. Cranial is extremely gentle and is effective for a wide range of conditions, particularly in small babies, such as colic and restlessness.
Cranial osteopaths are trained to feel a very subtle, rhythmical shape change that is present in all body tissues. This is called Involuntary Motion or the Cranial Rhythm.
The movement is of very small amplitude; therefore it takes practitioners with a very finely developed sense of touch to feel it. This rhythm was first described in the early 1900's by Dr. William G. Sutherland and its existence was confirmed in a series of laboratory tests in the 1960's and '70's.
The Osteopath can feel for any disruption in its normal movement pattern. This disruption can occur following trauma or impact such as a difficult birth, road accidents, falls and head injuries. Usually the body is able to compensate for such events, but sometimes an accumulation of several strains and stresses can disrupt normal involuntary motion, and symptoms start to show.
